In 2026, we tried something new, dividing the Conference into three sessions. These were held on three separate mornings, featuring different speakers and topics at each.
April 21 – Beyond Ageism – Rockin’ in the New World
April 29 – Health Care – Rockin’ the Boat
May 12 – Life Satisfaction as We Age – Older Adults Rock On
The conference recognized the reality of life for older people today including analyzing the effectiveness of how societal systems support older people. Participants explored how they can take action to effect change for the future and feel comfortable doing advocacy for themselves and others.
Sessions emphasized the value of older people in our society – capable; bringing experience, wisdom, and skills that differ from other age groups; a large contingent of people, many of whom have time and financial resources and are looking for purpose in this stage of their lives.
An internationally recognized expert on ageism, Ashton Applewhite is the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism and a co-founder of the Old School Hub. She speaks widely at venues that have included the United Nations and the TED mainstage, and is at the forefront of the emerging movement to raise awareness of ageism and make age a criterion for diversity. In 2022 the United Nations named Ashton one of the Healthy Aging 50: fifty leaders transforming the world to be a better place to grow older.
To view Ashton’s presentation, click on the image below.
Steven Lewis is a health policy and health services research consultant, and Adjunct Professor of Health Policy at Simon Fraser University. He has worked with governments, health care organizations, pan-Canadian agencies, regulators, professional organizations, and quality improvement agencies. He led a health research granting agency and created the first evidence-based system improvement organization in Saskatchewan. He has published widely in peer-reviewed and other journals, newsletters, and public media. He is a board member and treasurer of a community health centre in Vancouver and writes a monthly health policy column for the Saskatoon and Regina newspapers.
Dr Sally Mahood is a long-time family physician in Saskatchewan and retired Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.
She has been a lifelong defender of the public health care system, an opponent of its erosion by privatization, and a strong advocate for primary care reform and women’s health in the province.
To view this conversation, click on the image below.
Rod McKendrick C.M. worked in policing for 31 years. As part of the Ministry of Justice, he provided province-wide training on interpersonal violence and abuse. Rod retired from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice, Victims Services, as the Interpersonal Violence Specialist for the province in April 2023. In November 2024 he joined the SSM staff team as Social Prescribing Coordinator.
Wendy Thienes is the Age-Friendly Communities staff person with SSM, providing support to communities across the province who are embracing the Age-Friendly journey. Wendy works remotely from her home in Shaunavon where she helped establish an Age-Friendly committee and volunteers on their Social Prescribing steering committee.
To view the video of their presentations, click on the image below.
To view the video of this presentation, click on the image below.
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Gold
Silver
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College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan
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Lifeline
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SGEU
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